India urged to unite as win drought raises big questions | OneFootball

Sandesh Jhingan has called for improved collective performance from India’s national team as they gear up for a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong. The central defender emphasised that only a unified effort across all lines will help end a period of disappointing results at the continental level.

Speaking from the team’s training camp in Kolkata, Jhingan acknowledged the recent struggles. "We are facing certain things which led to a dip in form. We (the players) feel worse, and so do our families. Sometimes we let the country down, but there are times when we came up with great performances. That’s the life of a footballer. You have to keep trying to do better and focus on the future," he said.

India have found wins hard to come by throughout 2024, suffering a six-match winless run before securing a morale-boosting victory over Maldives in March to end a drought of 489 days without a win. However, the momentum stalled again as India were held to a goalless draw against Bangladesh in the qualifiers, missing an important chance to secure all three points.

Jhingan was clear that the responsibility for India’s lack of goals cannot be pinned on a single department. “The reason we are not scoring is that we at the back are not putting up the ball to the midfield. And the midfield is not putting good balls in the box, and that’s why we’re not scoring. To point out a single aspect is very unfair as it is a collective effort in the end,” he explained.

As India face Hong Kong in their next qualifier, Jhingan stressed that improving coordination throughout the squad is essential. The defender’s comments underlined the need for defenders to build smoothly from the back, for midfielders to connect and create, and for attackers to finish chances—painting the picture of a team where every link is crucial to success.

Ultimately, the Blue Tigers’ hopes of reviving their fortunes on the continental stage hinge on players across all positions stepping up and working in sync—a message Jhingan delivered with clarity as India look to rediscover their rhythm and give their fans renewed optimism.

Source: The Hindu